whytheygive–donorsexplain supportforschool · john & elvira hanson charles e kopp family mary...

FROM ST. MATTHEWThe community of St. Matthew exists in the world as a visible expression of God’s love

January/February 2009Issue 10

Deciding to Donate andGet Involved

Donna Duffy McCarthy (’64)remembers the exact day she decided sheshould get involved at St. Matthew’sSchool. It was last summer. She was inthe car with her 24 year old son andhappened to be near St. Matt’s, so shedrove by to show him her elementaryschool. Then she drove him around her oldneighborhood, pointing out houses of friendsshe grew up with. She says, “One of the housesI pointed out was Janice Mosberger’s; I hadn’tthought of her in years. When we got home, Ifound a letter from St. Matt’s requestingstudent scholarship assistance. It was signedby none other than Janice Mosberger — andI thought, ‘Maybe I’m supposed to getconnected.’ So I made a donation and wrote anote saying if they needed help, to call.”

Donna did get a call and now shevolunteers once a week at the school. Sheworks with some 3rd grade students toimprove their reading skills and she helps outin the Kindergarten, where the work is morevaried. “It’s a big class so I do anything theteacher needs — zip jackets, help kids work onassignments, give hugs — whatever. I’m goingto start working with a little reading group.”

Why They Give – Donors ExplainSupport for School

Donna is a semi-retired teacher herselfbut she always taught older students, highschool or college, including students at theCarlson School of Management at the U of M,the University of St. Thomas and AugsburgCollege. “I’ve never taught little ones, but it’sbeen surprisingly easy.”

Donna says she’s been impressed withthe organization and order of the school aswell as the caliber of the students. “The kidsseem more quiet and well-behaved then Iremember being. They seem to be seriousstudents — especially the middle schoolers.They’re helpful, they open doors. They seemreally purposeful. I remember we were justgoof-off’s.

Continued on page 4

HIGHLIGHTSIN THIS ISSUE

2 Fr. Steve’sAnniversary Dinner

3 Baptismal FontReturned

6 KindergartenRoundup Feb. 19

7 St. Paul VoiceInterviews Fr. Steve

7 Gifts to A&FHonor Loved Ones

We’ve heard from people who’ve received tuition assistance talk about what it’smeant to them. So we thought it was time to talk to some people who helped makethat assistance possible. Out of hundreds of donors, we spoke to four who explainwhy they think St. Matthew’s School deserves their support.

Donna DuffyMcCarthy

volunteers withKindergarteners.

St.Matthews_Jan09:Layout 1 1/5/09 2:45 PM

Father Steve has been a “father” in so many ways to my family and me.He was my 1st “boss” when I was a 15 year old receptionist working atthe Rectory. He was a generous guide to my husband and me when wewere preparing to be married at St. Matthew’s even though we wereworking and living in Southern California at the time. Over time, he haspresided over weddings and baptisms for scores of of my siblings andour babies whether we were registered members to the parish or not.He has been our friend and confidant over these past 30 years. Mostimportantly, he has prayed for us and with us. He has helped us to feelthe presence and protection of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He is ourpriest and friend. Our appreciation for his dedication and sacrifice to theWest Side community can not be adequately expressed. We are now,and will be forever, thankful for his unending dedication. Thank you,Father Steve, for making such a wonderful impact on my family and ourmuch-loved Westside community through your vocation!

Anne Cullen Miller (‘77)Mendota Heights, Minnesota

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FATHER STEVE’S ANNIVERSARY

And whata celebration

it was!

Thank you, Fr. Steve...

ABOVE: Fr. Greg Welch, Fr. Steve, andGeorge Schmid.

FAR LEFT: Thomas Smith, Fr. Steve andJean Smith.

LEFT: Fr. Steve and Tony Moran.

MIDDLE: School Sisters of Notre DameJoanna Illg, Virginia Bieren, Margie Klein,Stephanie Spanoll.

ABOVE: Rita Goggins, Fr. Steve,Pat Goggins and Bob Goggins.

LEFT: Mike Adrian and Mary Adrian (siblingsof Fr. Steve), Fr. Steve and Fr. Marty Warren.

BELOW: Steve Mike, chef for the dinner, andFr. Steve.

St.Matthews_Jan09:Layout 1 1/2/09 9:49 AM

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In Honor of Harry Lauen

1916 Baptismal Font Returned and Refurbished

Harry Lauenmarried LoisNyman in 1995.

newsPARISHMINISTRY

The Baptismal Font was originally purchased in 1916by family and friends of Gualteri Stahl, 1847-1916and is dedicated to his memory. Gualteri, who lateradopted the American version of his name, Walter,was born in Germany but spent most of his life onthe West Side. It’s believed he worked as a grocertogether with his brother at a store located at 63 W.Winifred. The house he lived in at 579 Ohio stillstands today.

bath. In fact, the base and basin were all that remainedof the original Font. The six marble columns thatsurrounded the base were lost.

The restoration work on the Font took six monthsand was performed by Henning Decorating Studio,which specializes in church restoration. Because of itsweight, a scaffold with a block and tackle was needed tomove the Font into place near the back of the sacristywhich is where it will stay.

We invite everyone to stop by the church to see theBaptismal Font for themselves. Whether you were oneof the thousands of children baptized at St. Matthew’sbetween 1916-1968, or you simply admire beautifulcraftsmanship, the Baptismal Font is a piece of livinghistory that’s worth a visit. We’re glad to have it backhome and offer thanks to all who made that possible.Most particularly, we acknowledge Harry Lauen, for hiscommitment to St. Matthew’s and for the family whochose such a fitting way to memorialize that commitment.

Very few items from St. Matthew’s church survivedthe fire from 1968. What was recovered was mostlyfire-damaged odds and ends that were sold in an

auction to help raise money for the new church. As aresult, St. Matthew’s has few artifacts representing its120 year history.

One very precious item has recently been returned tothe church. St. Matthew’s original Baptismal Font has beenrefurbished and restored to the sanctuary as a memorial toHarry Edward Lauen, who died on April 4, 2008. Thememorial was established by Harry’s wife, Lois Nymanwith support from his family and friends.

Harry wasn’t born Catholic but he converted in 1932,one year after he married Catherine Hanglberger (’24)whose family belonged to St. Matthew’s parish.

Harry joined St. Matthew’s himself in 1947, when heand Catherine moved into her parents’ home on the WestSide. Together, their marriage produced four children, 18grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Catherine diedin 1993, after 61 years of marriage.

Two years later, at age 85, Harry married LoisNyman, age 68 who was also a widow. They enjoyed13 happy years together building a new life and joiningtheir two families. Harry moved into Lois’ home inRoseville after they married, but he kept his membershipat St. Matthew’s Parish and every Sunday, he made thetrip across town for mass.

When Harry died last April, Lois wanted to createa memorial at St. Matthew’s on his behalf. Coincidentally,

the Baptismal Font hadjust been returned toSt. Matthew’s from a familyin Forest Lake, who, for yearshad used the basin as a bird


“He runs the show now. I work for him.”As a successful West Side business

owner, Joe thinks St. Matthew’s School isan important part of the community andhe’s happy to support it. “I believe inCatholic education. I was given anopportunity to go to Catholic gradeschool and high school. I loved it. Now,I have an opportunity to give back. Not asmuch as I’d like — but something. If you

can do something, you should.”

Shirley Smith Says She AlwaysMissed St. Matt’s

While Shirley and Larry Smith are both West Siders,they aren’t the most likely people to support St. Matthew’sSchool. Shirley’s family belonged to St. Matthew’s Parishand she even attended the school for a few years but whenher brother switched schools, she went with him. Becauseshe left the school before graduating, Shirley says she neverhad the connection with it that an alumni has.

Larry’s family belonged toSt. Michael’s parish and after Shirleyand Larry got married, the couplejoined St. Michael’s as a familyand eventually sent their threechildren to school there.

But, Shirley says, “I alwaysmissed St. Matt’s.” So, a fewyears after their kids hadgraduated from school, Shirleyand Larry joined St. Matthew’sParish.

Now as a parishioner, she feels it’svery important to support the school.“We need to keep the kids….we have tohang on to our young people. And I seewonderful kids coming out of St. Matt’s.”

For Shirley, it’s all about laying down a goodfoundation, “The school instills in them an inner core oflove for God and all that’s good. They can draw on thatfor the rest of their lives.”

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For Donna, the school is aworthwhile investment not only ofher money, but also her time, asshe says, “I’m just thrilled thatthese kids have a chance to get adecent, quiet education. It’s a realleg up for them.”

The Nasseff Familyfrom Holy Family

Joe Nasseff (‘60) is one of the owners ofJoseph’s Grill and has spent his whole life on the WestSide. Joe, along with his four sisters and one brothergrew up in a house near George and Robert Street. TheNasseff’s went to Holy Family Church, the same churchJoe belongs to now, but his parents wanted their childrento attend Catholic school and Holy Family didn’t haveone. They looked into St. Michael’s but were turneddown, Joe says, because their family wasn’t Irish.St. Matthew’s School took them in.

He says it was a great experience. “At recess, weplayed in the quarry. There were very few lay teachersback then — we were taught by the Sisters of NotreDame. One nun said she wanted to put my head througha wall and I believed her. But the nuns were fantastic.”And the classes, he recalls, were big, “Fifty kids in ourclassroom with one teacher.”

He recalls a time when one of the nuns waswalking the students past some busy intersections afterschool and one of the students greeted a policeman bysaying “Hi, Copper.” The Sister didn’t think that was theproper way to address an officer and she let the studentknow it. Joe says, “Kids were always taught to showrespect. That stuck with me for the rest of my life. Nunswere good at that.”

Joe, together with his cousins, Ray and MickeyJoseph, got into the restaurant business back in 1987when they bought George’s, a bar that served food downby State and Concord Street. In 2000, his uncle boughtthe property near Plato and Wabasha and asked them ifthey wanted to move. They tripled the size of theirbusiness and Joe’s son, Michael, came on board. Joe says,

Donors, continued from page 1

FEATURE story

Joe Nasseff (’60), co-owner of Joseph’s Grill.

Larry andShirley Smith


When the kidsgraduate, she believes thatcore will always be there,even if they slack off or fallaway. “I still have a lot of thethings I learned from the nunsway back when. It’s somethingyou take with you all of your life.To this day, when I see an ambulance goby, I say a prayer.”

Shirley used to be a volunteer reader to firstgraders, and says that she still gets hugs from the nowgrown up kids she used to work with. She jokes, “I tellmy husband I should go back — I’m running out of hugs.”

And from Napa, California –Judy Klotz Morhar (’57)

Judy Klotz Morhar (‘57) may still consider herselfa West Sider but she hasn’t actually lived in Minnesotasince she graduated from Humboldt H.S. in 1961. Afterhigh school, she attended the University of Chicago,lived briefly in New York then spent over two years inVenezuela as a Peace Corps volunteer. For the last35 years, she’s lived someplace most people wouldlike to vacation, in the heart of wine country in

Napa, California.Judy reconnected with

St. Matthew’s when shereceived an invitation tocome to ReunionSunday in May, 2007,which marked Judy’s50 year anniversarysince graduating. Itwas a long way totravel for classmatesshe hadn’t seen in 50

years, but for Judy, thesewere the people she grew up

with. “I’ve so often thought,because the population of our class was so

stable, those kids were like family. I was glad

to get together with them.”The trip not only brought her back

together with old friends, it also gave her alook into what St. Matthew’s is like today —and she liked it. During mass, in addition totwo girls making their First Communion, all the

women in the congregation were invited to comeforward and offer a blessing for a mother and her

recently baptized child. Judy says, “There was such amessage of inclusiveness, compassion and kindness —I just thought it was terrific….raising a kid is indeed avillage and community effort and commitment. It wastouching — I was very moved.”

Judy says she supports Alumni & Friends for a fewreasons. She appreciates the education she received at theschool and says, “I felt very well prepared.” But she alsosupports the school’s current mission to reach out andeducate children in the community whose familiescouldn’t otherwise afford tuition.

When talking about her reunion, Judy’s only regretwas not having more time to visit with all of herclassmates who came — but she hopes to get togetherwith them again. Until then, she’s issued an openinvitation to any Class of ’57 St. Matt’s alumni to comeand visit her in California. She’ll pour the wine.

FEATURE story

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“We have to hang onto our young people.And I see wonderfulkids coming out of

St. Matt’s.”SHIRLEY SMITH

”“

Judy KlotzMorhar (‘57)

FINANCIAL UPDATE

As of December 20th, Alumni & Friends has raised$39,700. Over $17,000 came from Fr. Steve’s dinner.$1,500 was contributed in Anne Adrian’s memory and$1,500 was contributed in Tony Palmer’s memory.

REUNION SUNDAY – MAY 3, 2009

Save the Date. All St. Matthew’s alumni are invitedwith special recognition to those who graduated in ayear ending in a ‘4’ or a ‘9.’ Alumni are invited toattend 10:30 a.m. Mass which will be followed by asimple brunch in the Social Hall and a tour of theschool. For more information or to RSVP call651-224-6912 (school office) or email:[email protected].


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SCHOOL news

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Thursday, February 19

It’s Kindergarten Roundup —Tell a Friend!It’s just another busy day in the life of a St. Matthew’s kindergartener. Ifyou or someone you know has a child who will be attending Kindergartennext year, Kindergarten Roundup is a great way to learn more about ouracademic goals, religious education and tuition assistance. Informationsessions are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Formore information, call the office at 651-224-6912.


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From the Editor

“I Want to Invest in Tomorrow,which is the Children”

Given inmemory of:Roman AdamMrs. Lilian BatesSister Beatrice SSNDGloria BrunzelHenrietta BurtonLucille DaughertyJohn DelVecchioFischer-Bastien-Palon-

Schmitt-Monzel-HallFamilies

Fischer-Schmitt FamiliesWilliam & Viola FischerHerman & Pearl HagerPearl & Herman HagerJohn & Elvira HansonCharles E Kopp FamilyMary Meyer KormanJoe MarthalerAlums of the family

MeisingerPaul Miller, 1944Raymond R. Mosberger

Raymond R MosbergerJoseph J. Mueller, 1903Eugene P. OlsenCharles PoechmannCharles G. PoechmannLillian PosavadWilliam RindfleischWilliam Rindfleisch, 1911Robert E. RongitschMrs John SchmidNell SchmidNellie & John Schmid

Emauel & Emma ShimotaM. J. SnyderMark & Margaret SnyderMr & Mrs Mark L. SnyderHelen StevensHank & Pat VotelWesley and Marie WilerPeter & Lucy Yanish

Given in honor of:Bro Brad Jenniges, OSBFather Steve Adrian

The St. Paul Voice interviewed Fr. Steve Adrian for an articlethat ran in its December issue. In the story, Fr. Steve talksabout his 30 years as pastor of St. Matthew’s as well as hishopes for the future. The following is a brief excerpt. To get acopy of the full article, you may call or stop in at the parishcenter. — Maggie Lee, Editor

Looking back, (Adrian) believes he entered thepriesthood at an opportune time. He was ordainedin 1968, which was a time of great change in the

Catholic Church… “In the 60’s there was a huge amountof hope present in the Catholic community. Socialmovements, civil rights movements and the values ofDr. King dovetailed nicely with the image of the churchand flowed out of the (Second Vatican) Council.”

Adrian admires the “fierce loyalty” of West Sidersand enjoys hearing their stories. “Once they move,there is still a part of them that never lets go of theWest Side,” he said. “It reflects the strength ofa very powerful neighborhood. The West Sidehas always been a welcoming first stop forimmigrants, which still continues today.”

Looking Forward“I am 66 years-old and on the

downside,” said Adrian. “With mytime and energy that I have left I

need to devote to children. Our generation had itschance. They (the children) are the hopes and dreams.They will make the difference in the world. I want toinvest in tomorrow, which is them.”

In spite of the tough times the country is facingtoday, Adrian still sees a silver lining.

“Whenever there are large dramatic changes, itgenerates greater activity in the community process andpublic life,” he said. “It challenges every single one of usto examine our lives. Young people want to get involvedin the process. It’s a reawakening of energy. From thatstandpoint it is a day of hope and enthusiasm, of changeand opportunity.”

— Excerpt from the St. Paul Voice,written by Mary Diedrick Hansen

In our last issue, we thanked everyone who contributed to Alumni & Friend’s Scholarship Fund. Many gifts weregiven specifically in memory or honor of a loved one. We’d like to acknowledge those rememberances.

St. Matthew’s students helped serveFr. Steve’s Dinner.

Remembering Loved Ones with Gifts to A&F Scholarship Funds


Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAIDSt. Paul, MN

Permit No. 3673

PARISH COMMUNITY OFSAINT MATTHEW490 Hall AvenueSt. Paul, MN 55107

EVENTS calendar

ST. MATTHEW’S SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE – January 25,11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

METROPOLITAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – February 1 at 3 p.m.Join us for a FREE Family Concert in the church! After the concert, childrenare welcome to meet the musicians and try out some of the percussioninstruments.

SUPERBOWL PARTY – February 1 at 5 p.m.The Men’s Club invites everyone to watch the big game in the Social Hall ona BIG screen. There’s lot of games and food for kids so bring the wholefamily. The cost is $10 per adult, $5 per kid ages 13-18 and free for kidsunder 13. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

SCOUT SUNDAY – February 1, 10:30 a.m. MassSt. Matthew’s Boy Scout troop will participate in the 10:30 a.m. service andhost the coffee hour afterwards. Please come and meet these fine youngmen and future leaders.

KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP – February 19 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.See page 6 for more information.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES – February 25Masses with ash distribution at 6:45 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. Prayer services withashes at 9:15 a.m.(with the school), 12:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (with ReligiousEducation students.)

LENTEN FISH FRY – Fridays, February 27 – April 3Regular serving time is from 5 – 7:30 p.m. with a Senior Citizen Special from4 – 5 p.m. The Fish Fries will be co-sponsored by the Rosary Society, BoyScouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Home and School. We also dedicate aportion of our profits to the Street Children of Bucharest.

Published Bi-monthly by Alumni &Friends of St. Matthew’s.

Editor: Maggie Lee

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 651-224-6912 x47

All expenses associated witheditorial, design, printing & mailingare donated.

St. Matthew’s School

Director of Education &Formation: Doug Lieser

School Office: 651-224-6912

www.st-matts.org

The Community of St. Matthew

Hall Ave. and Robie St.St. Paul, MN 55107

Pastor: Fr. Steve Adrian

Parish Office: 651-224-9793

Weekend Liturgies:Saturday - 5 p.m.Sunday - 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.

www.st-matts.org

FROM ST. MATTHEW

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED


whytheygive–donorsexplain supportforschool · john & elvira hanson charles e kopp family mary...

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